As you know the Gormogons are Catholic.

The original five have spent some time under the tutelage of the Jesuits (God bless their souls), while Dr. J. was raised by a Christian Brother educated father and grew up in a parish run by Cistercian monks. In the northeast, Catholics are defined by their ethnicity (Italian Catholics, Irish Catholics, German Catholics, Polish Catholics, etc…). We are all Catholic, it is one religion, but there are cultural traditions that are embraced by each ethnicity that results in them throwing things at each other in the bleachers during CYO basketball games. For example, Dr. J.’s old parish creates a carpet of flowers (la infiorata) in honor of the feast of Corpus Christi and many parishioners enjoy the feast of the seven fishes on Christmas Eve. By way of contrast, the past Bishop of New Atlantis was Polish, and also from the northeast and his Cathedral would have a traditional blessing of the Easter meal each Spring. In the northeast, being Catholic is something you tend to be born into, and there are ethnic and cultural aspects to it above and beyond the spiritual. This was Catholicism as Dr. J. knew it until he relocated to New Atlantis.

New Atlantis, has very few Catholics. 3.3% statewide, compared to 52% in Rhode Island, and 48% in New Jersey. More interestingly many of the Catholics in New Atlantis converted from the worship of Poseidon. So many, in fact, that they refer to Dr. J. as a ‘cradle Catholic.’ Dr. J. wasn’t sure if this was a slur, or good natured jibing, or what. These converts from the local faith are very enthusiastic, they are very involved in the Church. In a sense, they bring some sense of energy to the Parish, as they’re volunteering for everything. They’ve even brought some of their Poseidonish tendencies to the Parish. They’re a little more dressed up for mass. They’re the first one to bring a Jello mold or Ritz  casserole to a sick neighbor, and they reach out to hold your hand during the Pater Noster (which gives Dr. J. the willies). Dr. J. does not mean any of this as a criticism, bless their hearts. But, it does occasionally make Dr. J. feel like a stranger in a strange land, even though he’s been Catholic longer than they have. They also find the northeastern ethnicity and traditions equally odd. Despite the differences, we are richer for each other’s company. In Dr. J.’s opinion, life-long ethnic Catholics keep the living history and rich and varied traditions of the Catholic Church alive, and the converts revitalize the congregation with enthusiasm and energy. It’s a good balance.

Dr. J. brings this all up because David Gibson writes about this today in the WSJ and comes to a similar conclusion.

Go read it and enjoy!

Dr. J.